Luton Town 0 Tottenham 1
Unbeaten Tottenham were the visitors to Kenilworth Road as Ange Postecoglou’s fine start as Spurs’ manager continued to gather momentum. The Hatters meanwhile had yet to register a win at home since their reintroduction to the Premier League.
Just as a sidenote to the new manager in North London being labelled a Messiah, Tottenham in fact were in exactly the same position as they were under Antonio Conte last season. The fans will be hoping they can continue their form for the duration of the season this time.
The visitors had an early chance when Kulusevski whipped in an in-swinging cross to the back post, where Richarlison put it over the bar from a yard out, something it would seem difficult for a Luton Town defender to do in that position.
Maddison continued to pull the strings for Postecoglou’s side, slotting the ball through for Richarlison once again but the misfiring Brazilian striker looked less like Romario and more like Afonso Alves. Tottenham wasted chance after chance and the manager started to worry that they would pay for this.
Credit: @SpursOfficial
Bissouma was booked for a clumsy challenge which led to a free kick that Tottenham failed to clear before Lockyer bundled it over the line but Romero was in fact fouled in the build up as he was pushed by Adebayo so the goal was ruled out.
The visitors continued to pile the pressure on Luton and when Bissouma ran towards goal, he threw himself to the ground with no contact whatsoever. As a result he was booked for simulation, quite rightly, and shown a second yellow card. Postecoglou’s side were down to ten men.
Richarlison was subbed at half time so that Hojbjerg could slot into the hole left by the sending off but after seeing the Brazilian’s finishing on the day, this seemed to be a move that would hurt Luton Town more than Tottenham.
The Hatters started on the front foot and as the ball was played to the back post with an open goal to aim for, Adebayo seemed to channel his inner Richarlison as he fluffed his lines and somehow put the ball wide. Big chance wasted.
Tottenham started to turn the screw with a series of corners and as the dangerous Maddison took a short corner and ran into the box, he slotted the ball to van de Ven to poke home. It was nothing more than the visitors deserved.
Luton then created another half-chance as the ball came to Doughty at the back post on the volley but he dragged his effort wide of goal. Soon after, Morris had a chance and worked Vicario as the keeper made a smart save to deny him.
Credit: @SpursOfficial
Morris then headed the ball over the visitors’ defence and Woodrow had the chance to draw the hosts level but his first touch was that of a bull in a china shop and as he looked to strike the ball from under his feet, it was all too easy of a save for Vicario.
Tottenham held on and took all three points, sending them to the top of the Premier League table and their fans were buzzing. For Luton, it is becoming ever more of a concern that they seem unable to pick up any points at home. Historically, poor home form does not have a good outcome for newly promoted sides.
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